What a wonderful response! Thank you all so much.

Sorry for the way I left the last chapter, but I thought it was pretty delcious. Hope this makes up for it!

I was a lot of things: Southern, courteous, and vampire come to mind first. But right now I was one thing: a man.

Her body was tight against mine as we rode further away from the house. Her face was flushed-from the heat or from my evident arousal I wasn't sure. I had no hopes that she wouldn't notice, and quite frankly I didn't care. Being here, on my land, away from everything that belongs in the past, made me more carefree than I'd been in a long time. And, in my newfound carefree state, there was one thing on my mind.

I stopped the horse. We were in the middle of a clearing with the dust swirling at the horses' feet and the sun beating down on us. Bella didn't move. I could feel her breath picking up, and her emotions were all over the board-joy, fear, lust…The lust was the worst. It magnified mine tenfold, which, at this moment was hard to imagine. Right now I wasn't Jasper, her friend, or Jasper, the southern gentleman-I was Jasper, wound up with lust and crazy for her.

Before she had time to register, I turned her around to where she was facing me, legs on each side of the horse-like she was still riding. "Bella, I'm getting down now. Put your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist." She complied without a word-God, yes. I jumped down, both my hands on her waist, and backed her to the nearest tree. I didn't take my eyes off her, and she didn't stop looking at me. I didn't ask, as I should have, and I didn't care. I looked her square in the eyes and captured her mouth with mine, not giving her a chance to protest. It was the most…delectable thing I've ever tasted. Better than any blood, human or otherwise. Her heart rate increased to a frantic pace, and she froze-but only for a moment. Within seconds she melted into me, weaving her fingers through my hair and yanking me closer. The only thing I could do was groan into her mouth and delve deeper, deeper…

I wanted nothing more-nothing! Than to take her right here in the dirt. In fact, I was confident that she would let me. But then the rational part of my mind, who had been sitting idly by, spoke up. I knew that Bella was inexperienced-Edward would never take her that far. And I wasn't going to ruin it by taking her in the dirt in the presence of a horse. And yet I didn't stop kissing her. Her lips were so soft, and her mouth was hot-it scorched my tongue. It was glorious. Stop, Jasper. I kept my teeth out of the way, for safety's sake, but I still didn't stop. I could feel her fingers kneading my scalp. I ran my hand up her back and locked it into her hair. Whoa, Jasper! Easy boy. She whimpered, and her desire increased exponentially. She whimpered, and I was a teenager again-I was afraid to know what would happen if she really touched me. I ground myself into her-I had to. She whimpered again, and gasped. STOP, JASPER! Finally I listened to myself. With all the strength that I had, I pulled away. I was gasping for air-odd-as was she. She looked at me, eyes hooded and cheeks cherry red. Her lips were swollen, and her fingers were still woven into my hair. I would have sat her down, but knowing Bella, she would collapse.

"I apologize, Bella. I don't know what got into me. I just…couldn't help myself." Way to go, Whitlock! She probably thinks you're some sex-crazed freak now.

"I didn't mind…" she mumbled. Her innocence would be the death of me, mark my words.

"Be that as it may, it was poor timing on my part. I was just overcome…by you. Your presence, your scent, everything. Please, I swear I'm not normally like that." And again if I could blush I would. Why did she elicit these reactions from me?

"Its okay, Jasper, really. It was…nice…to feel like that again. And to feel…you…wanting it as bad as me. I never got that before." And I mentally kicked my brother for doing that to her. Every day I felt how much he desired her, and the fear that overwhelmed said desire. And then I grinned.

"Bella, if he knew what he was missing…you have no idea." Oh, Edward, you stupid fool.

"Yeah, well…that's beside the point. I don't really feel like riding anymore-can we go back?"

"Certainly. I'll call someone to come get him and we'll run. Is that alright?" She nodded. "Good. Hop on then, little lady!" She rolled her eyes but moved behind me. I scooped her around quickly and before I knew it we were back at the house. I sat her down on the porch and opened the door.

"I'm going to take a shower-I'm all dirty. Be right back!" she said, slamming the door. Dirty? She had no idea. Now what? I'm not sure what to do next. It's apparent that I care for Bella, and that she cares for me, but…is it right? We've both been abandoned-is it just a rebound? I refused to think like that. She wasn't just some girl. She was Bella. Clearly I wanted her. I loved to spend time with her-I was a new person around her. She interrupted my musings as she sat across from me on the bed.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, pulling her knees up to her chin.

"Honestly? What to do now. I care about you Bella, I truly do. But we've both been so hurt. I just don't know what the right thing is here." Honesty is the best policy, after all. She looked at me, thinking. I could feel nothing strange from her, so I didn't worry.

"I care about you too, Jasper. You know that much. And you know what I think? It's not our fault that they don't want us. We can't sit around and sulk forever, if it's not meant to be. I don't know about you, but I'm getting older every day, and I'm not going to spend it pining for something that…I have no control over. The way I see it, we work on our own time table. Who cares what the rules are? Look at us! I'm tired of looking out for everyone else. I want to look at for me. And if that means…being with you…then so be it." She huffed a little at the end, and I felt nothing but determination emanating from her. She was something, alright.

"You're absolutely right. My whole life was Alice. I never did anything for me. When she left, I never thought I'd even think the word love again. It's like I wouldn't ever be good enough for anyone else. But damnit, Bella, I could love you. I could. And I don't want to be afraid of that." I shocked myself with that one, but it was true. I could love Bella-she was everything I needed. Hell-I might already.

"Me too. I don't want to feel like I've done something wrong by letting myself care for you. I want to do what feels good for once-what feels right. I don't want to be pushed away anymore. I want to make my own decisions-be my own person."

"Then it's settled. But you know what this means?" I grinned at her, feeling mischievous.

"No…."

"It means that you'll have to tell Charlie that you're hanging around me. I'll have to call Carlisle and Esme, as well. Alice isn't there, and Edward is gone as well, so our secret is safe. But I don't want to sneak around anymore. I don't want to wrangle you to Texas just to spend quality time with you." I hadn't even realized that's what I was doing until I said it. She sighed.

"You're absolutely right. But what do we tell them?" Good question. I thought for a moment.

"We'll tell them, at least Carlisle and Esme, that we're…seeing each other. If that's alright with you. No strings, just hanging out-but this way they know that at least something's going on. Tell Charlie whatever you like." She scowled.

"Alright, fine. I'll tell him when we get back. Now, you can call Carlisle and Esme right now. Get it out of the way, you know." She smirked at me, feeling smug. I tossed a pillow at her, but reached for my cell phone. I dialed the familiar number and waited for him to answer.

"Hello?"

"Carlisle! It's Jasper. How are you?" Play it cool…

"Jasper! How wonderful to hear from you. Things are…alright. We miss you a great deal. Is there any chance of a visit anytime soon? I know Alice said the circumstances were extreme, but Esme hopes…" Of course she did-she was the quintessential mother hen.

"I miss you all as well. But a visit isn't possible-yet. But soon, I hope. Listen-Edward's not there, is he?" Better ask, just in case.

"No. We haven't seen him since he left. Why do you ask?"

"I have something to tell you, and it would be beneficial for him not to know. You can tell Esme, but Rosalie and Emmett need not find out. Okay?"

"Absolutely. What is it?"

"I don't know exactly what Alice told you, but I stayed in Forks. One afternoon, Bella showed up at the house, and I let her in. Since then, we've been talking quite a bit. Realize that we both were hurting after being left in such a manner-so at first we were merely comforting one another. But…its sense developed into something more. I care for her a great deal. I realize that this probably isn't the best way to have gone about things, but I can't change the way I feel. And if Edward doesn't want to be a part of her life, then I do." It was so rushed that I'm surprised Bella heard any of it.

"I see. You're right-it's not the best thing that could have happened, but Edward made his own decision. He must deal with the repercussions. And…Bella will be good for you. What does Alice say about this?"

"Alice left me, Carlisle."

"Do you think she saw…" And until then, I didn't. But maybe she saw this coming. Maybe she had a good reason for leaving. Maybe she knew this was going to make me happy.

"I can't know that. But I'm no longer tied to her, and Bella is no longer with Edward. And I won't make his mistakes."

"I trust you, son. Please give her our love, and take care of her. I'll speak with you soon."

I hung up and turned to Bella. "Carlisle sends his love. And his blessing." I grinned. She smiled, and I felt relief wash over her.

"Now that that is over, why don't you get some rest? You've had quite the day." She blushed at the memory, but climbed under the covers anyway.

Alice's POV

I hated these visions. If I could give my power away I would. I hated seeing them together. I hated seeing all the mistakes I made with him. I hated feeling bitter about it.

He never took me there.